What are the 'dots' on the side of Pool and Snooker tables for?

Question

What are the 'dots' on the side of Pool and Snooker tables for? Do they come in handy, If so, How?

Answer 1

I was told

They form a grid of squares to help calculate

"Angle of Incidence = Angle of Reflection"

Answer 2

I know this will sound silly, but see if you can watch the Disney movie DONALD IN MATHMAJIC LAND (1959). It may be in or part of another Disney film, or on it's own.  There is a 5 min. demonstration with a real pool player, and how he uses those dots to calculate the angle of a shot off of 3 banks to hit the ball he wants, with an explanation of the math involved. There is a math formula. I had to rewind it 5 or six times to really understand it.

Answer 3

These dots are generally referred to as diamonds, since traditionally they were/are diamond shaped. There are many diamond systems out there that teach a player to use these markers.

Although they were first used for carom games, they can be used in pool as well. These systems can greatly improve your banking and kicking, especially multi-rail banks and kicks. Even if you dont follow one of these systems they can come in handy just as a reference point on many shots.

Do a search on diamond systems for pool and you will find a fair bit of information. Below is a link that gives you a general idea about diamond systems.

Answer 4

I know they are for lining up your shots, but I can't figure out how to use them

Answer 5

One option is to use those dots to angle shots.  Also, when you "scratch," the white ball has to be placed behind the 2nd dot, I believe.

Answer 6

to help you use the dots to make shots and teach you how to make shots you think you would not be able to hit but with the dots they teach you tremendously how to play pool. They really helped me alot.

Answer 7

Actually, I think it's angle of incidence = angle of occurrence.  That of course doesn't take into account a whole slew of other factors involving bank and kick shots.  I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think that snooker tables have diamonds.  What I'm curious about now is do English pool tables have diamonds, since they have the snooker-style pockets?  Sorry to go off on a tangent, but the question has been answered already.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 8

They are aim points quite a few systems depend on them

Answer 9

certain shots require u to be behind the line made by those dots other wise known at in the kitchen. otherwise there centered on the rail so help up with angles and geometry

Answer 10

DJ got it Good ans DJ